Council and union resolve planning dispute
Industrial action by Bolton Council's planning staff has ended following reassurances that a review of planning and building control will result in no compulsory redundancies.
Successful talks between the local authority and Unison has seen both sides reaching an agreement to respond to concerns raised by union members. Unison will be involved in the implementation of new working practices and a formal review in October of how the changes in the division are working.
The planning and building control team consisted of 68 people before restructuring at the start of the year. Ten staff took voluntary redundancy and a further four have been redeployed within the council. There are now 54 people in the planning and building control team.
Sean Harriss, chief executive of Bolton Council, said: "We're really pleased that by working together we've come to a successful resolution. The discussions with Unison have always been constructive and the joint agreement paves the way forward for the planning and building control service."
Bernadette Gallagher, Unison branch secretary for Bolton, added: "We are delighted to have reached an agreement which avoids the need for any compulsory redundancies and allows Unison to play an active role in the implementation of the new service."
